Happy birthday to Sunderland legend Jimmy Montgomery, who was born on this day in 1943. The FA Cup winner holds the record for the club’s most appearances, with 627.
Monty made his debut between the sticks in 1960 aged just 18 against Walsall. His lengthy career spanned 17 years, becoming Sunderland’s greatest ever goalkeeper. The Hendon-born shot stopper single-handedly kept Sunderland in the 1973 FA Cup final with a miraculous double save from Trevor Cherry and Peter Lorimer. To this day it remains one of the best saves of all time. 'Hotshot' Lorimer later exclaimed: "I couldn't believe my eyes."
Montgomery was part of another famous moment on the same day, with Bob Stokoe running towards the keeper after the final whistle. Monty had a career at his local club that many of us can only dream of, before also playing for Southampton, Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest. Despite not playing a game for Brian Clough’s Forest, he owns a European Cup Winners Medal from 1980.
After retiring at Forest, Monty returned to Wearside to initially become a goalkeeping coach, before moving into an ambassadorial role at the club.
